Seelbach to Introduce Motion to Repeal Pit Bull Ban

City Councilman Chris Seelbach plans to
draft a motion that will take out breed-discriminatory language
targeting pit bulls and harshen punishments for negligent owners in
Cincinnati.

Seelbach on April 9 tweeted, “Taking
first steps to repeal Pit Bull ban in Cincinnati. Will have motion
drafted for Council signatures later this week.”

Seelbach told CityBeat that he
made a pledge to work to repeal the ban on pit bulls in Cincinnati when
he took office in December and has met with stakeholders in the past to
discuss new policy strategies.

Seelbach’s move comes less than a week after CityBeat’s
April 4 cover story, “Losing Fight,” which investigated problems with
Cincinnati’s breed-specific legislation, which has banned ownership of
pit bulls within Cincinnati city limits since 2003.

John Kasich signed
Substitute House Bill 14, which removed a breed-discriminatory clause
automatically declaring pit bulls as “vicious,” subjecting owners to
high insurance premiums, fines and discrimination. However, because
Cincinnati is a charter city with the power to make its own home rules,
the bill was irrelevant for Cincinnati pit bull owners.

Once Seelbach drafts the motion, he’ll
need to obtain a minimum of five signatures from other City Council
members. Once the signatures are successfully obtained, Seelbach says
the motion will most likely go before the city’s public safety
committee. If it passes, the motion could go before council for an
official vote.